Leon j



L. J. LE PONTOIS.

ELECTRIC GENERATOR. APPUCAHON .FlLED act. 14, m4. guano JULY 19. ;319.1,330,038, Pateiitd Feb. 3,1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET i.

Fig. 1.

Witnesses: In grenfor:

Attorney.

L. 1. LE PONTOIS.

ELECTRIC GENERATOR. APPLICATION F'LED 001.14. m4. RENEWED'JULY ispms.

1 ,330,038, Patented Feb. 3, 1920,

r 3 T -shin CDM r a L. J. LE PONTOIS ELECTRIC GENERATOR. APPLICATIONFILED OCT. 14, I914. RENEWED JULY 19, 1919.

1,330,038. Patented Feb. 3,1920.

3' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- Wz'fnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LE PON'IOIS, or LAKEWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY mnsnn ASSIGNMENTS, To runTEAOLE COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

ELECTRIC GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 14, 1914, Seria1No. 866,604. Renewed Jun19,1919. serial no. 312,1'io.

To all whom it may concern: I Be it known that I, .Lnox J. Li: Poxuors,

a citizen of the Republic of France. residing at Lakewood, in the countyof uyahoga 5'and State of Ohio, have inve'nted'certain new and usefulImprovements inuand Re lating to Electric Generators,'of which thefollowing is a specification.

' This invention relates primarily to ap- 1 0 paratus for utilizing theflux of a permanent magnet for the generation of electrical impulses forignition purposes, more particw larly high tension electrical impulsesproduced over a wide angular range.

wide range of spark adjustment for the operation of various types ofhydro-carbon motors is well known. The advantage of.

maintaining substantially. the same .value and. substantially the samewane shape of -:2 5 proposed to meet such requirement but in all ofthem, as far as I am aware, the relagenerated electrical impulses atagiven fre- "quency for allpositions within the spark rarxiige is alsorecognized. arious forms of apparatus have been tive relations. of theelectric and magnetic elements used have varied in such a 'wayvas tocause ultimately serious demagnetizing eifects upon the permanentmagnets and r 'substantial losses of efficiency.

'nency of the magnet must be To use the flux of apermanent magnet at anytime in such manner as to oppose or tend to weaken the strength or'permaproductlve of'inefiicient results and ultiinatedeterioration of thepermanentmagnet. Yet in all prior apparatus for utilizing a permanentmagnet to generate sparks fOIYlgIlltlOIl pur- 40 poses throughout arelatively wide angular 415'. operation and range of adjustment, in sofar as I amadvised the reactlons upon the permanent niagnets are such asto tend to demagnetlze them during some part of the cycle 0 i theutilization of the magnet flux is therefore relatively Y magnetdemagnetization or deterioration" 1 s The advantage of providing arelatively ineflicient. In practice it is well known that permanent apermanent magnet is utilized in such ai- -manner as always to tend tomaintain the strength and permanence of the magnet and toinsuresubstantially the same value and shape of current wave at a givenfrequency throughout the range of spark adjustment.

The elements constituting my improved apparatus are so constructed andcorrelated permanent magnet always so located that 'themagneto-motive"force of any current flowing in the generating windingfor any position of spark adjustment within the c5 spark range will,always act in the same di rection on the poles of the permanent;mag-

Patented Feb, 3, 1920.

net; in other words, the relative mechani; Y

cal'directions of the axis 'of the generating winding' and path ofleastv reluctance be-- tween the magnet poles when a current is flowing1n the generating winding are maintamed the .same for all'positions' ofspark adjustment within-the range, and any current whlch fiowsin thegenerating winding is maintained always in onefa'nd the same directiontherein, so that it ma be said that the electro-magnetic relationsh1p ofthe path of least reluctance between the poles of the permanent magnet,which includes the.

partof the magnetic circuit extending through the winding, will remainconstant.

improved apparatus I Accordingly, my utilizes the flux of a permanentmagnet in the production of sparks for ignition purposes throughout arelatively wide angularnor as alternately to increase and-decrease theflux linking through saidwinding and to maintain the path of'leastreluctance 511- range by distributing the main 'flux between t the polesof a permanent magnet first through and then outside a generatingwinding having a spark gap, in such manways in the sameelectrov-magnetic relation;

to the poles of the permanent magnet, closf ing and opening an BIGCtIIC'circuit through the said winding in-a definite timed relation 'tothesaid distribution of flux'and simul-:

taneously advancing orretarding said'distribution of flux and theclosing and openf ing of said circuit, whereby high tension sparks arecaused periodically to jump said spark gap. I q

"With my improved apparatus it is pos sible to maintain at all timesa'path of relatively low reluctance for the magnetic flux between thepoles of the permanent magnet and to keep the total reluctance of themagnetic circuit of the main flux substantially constant throtwhout theflux cycle for all spark adjustments within the limitsof the sparkrange.

Again, smce my apparatus 1s constructed to maintain the path of leastreluctance between the poles of the permanent magnet always in the sameelectromagnetic relatlon to the poles of the permanent magnet, by

1 words, the direction .winding' closed and opened during having thecircuit through the generating flux decrease therethrough, .l insurethat the current generated in the winding will always flow inthedirection to tend to maintain or buildup the magnet,irrespective of theposition of spark adjustment and the dura-' tion of thecurrent wave,there being there-' netic action of the current flowing in the thepermanency winding-will tend to strengthen or maintain of the magnet.

' I am also enabled to maintain the maximum, minimum and averagereluctance of the magnetic circuit the spark range during the utilizedpart of the fiux: cycle, thus insuring uniformity of current output fora, given frequency for all positions of such spark adjustment.

In so far as possible the elimination of losses due to hysteresis andeddy currents is essential in enabling the flux between the poles of thepermanent magnets to be used most efliciently and economically. My improved apparatus is constructed tomainta-in between the magnet polesa'flux path which always has the same direction with relation to thepoles of the permanent magnet, thereby eliminating losses incident toflux reversa'ls in the magnetic circuit. a

For the purpose of illustration I have shown in the accompanyingdrawings a construction by means of which myv invention may bepractised.

'Figure 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section of an inductor. generatorembodying my infv vention on the line 11, -Fig. 2. v

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2'-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the polar faces of the rotor andstator and a system of Wiring.

if desired.

surfaces 4 is, held 1n magnetic contact with tions 9, 9,

through the winding, the same for all spark adjustments within Fig. 4 isan end elevation.

Fig. 5 is a'detail.

In the drawings:

1 indicates a base section of-non-magnetic material, 1", 1, alined polepieces at opposite ends thereof which may be secured in position in anysuitable manner, as by screws.

4 indicates a permanent magnet field structure of any suitable nature.As shown, it consists of a pair of horse-shoe shaped magnets 4*, though.a plurality of magnetized laminae of steel may be substituted thereforThe magnets have their polar the pole pieces 1*, 1, respectively, bymeans of screws 4:.

9 indicates as an-entirety an oscillatab'le pole piece or stator,comprising a tubular section 9 mounted to oscillate relative to andextending through the pole piece 1, an enlarged annular section 9",the'up-permost portion of which always covers the polar eX- tremity ofthe adjacent end of the magnet. i and unwoundand wound polarprojecrespectively- The polar projections may be constructed in anysuitable mannerand secured to the section 9 They are illustrated aslaminated, as is also theportion 9' of the stator, the ,laminations ofthe latter being shown only in Fig. 1 of the drawings to avoid confusionof lines. The polar surfaces 9 and 9"- of said polar projections areflat and lie infa vertical plane transversely disposed relatively to theaxis of the stator. I

12 indicates as an entirety an unwound,

homopolar flux distributer having its axis of rotation. coincident withthe axis of the stator section\9 and diametrically opposed, laminatedflui distributing sections, 1:2, 12, with fiat polar faces 12 which lieina vertical plane transverse to the axis of the flux distributer andparallel to the plane of the polar surfaces 9 and 9 of said stator.

The reluctance of each air gap between the polar ends of the permanentmagnets and stator and flux distributer, respectively,

is relatively small in each instance because of the large area of metalat each gap and the fact that the adjacent surfaces of the magnets i androtor and respectively, may be set relatively close together.

16 's a generating windingconstructed to surround the polar projection 9of the stator and be carried thereby. The winding illustrated in thedrawingsis for high tension current generation, comprising preferably aninner section or coil 16' of relatively coarse wire, and an outersection 16" of'relatively fine wire. For low tension current generatingpurposes a coil suitable therefor maybe substituted for the one shown inthe drawings. 17 and 18 are termmals for opposite; ends fluxdistributer,

- 'of the coarse wire winding 16. The terminal 17 is electricallyconnected with a terminal lead 17- extending through and in-.

'sula ted from the section 9 of the stator.

The terminal 1 8 is connected by an electrical conductor 50 to aterminal plate 18' insulated from the stator 9 which carries it.

-9 which is carried by 23 'is a condenser electrically, having one endconnected to the terminal plate 18' at '23. The other end of thecondenser is electrically connectedat 23 to a metallic bracket stator. v

-' The fine winding 16 has one end connected to the terminal 18." Itsother end ter minates at a contact plate 24:, to whlch t is"electrically connected. a

25 is an insulating plug carrying a high tension terminal lead 26. "Theplug .25 ex-:.

tends through and is rotatable relative to the distributer support 27. v

The-high tension lead 261at its'inner end' is electrically connected tothe end wallof 'a metallic socket piece 28 in which is movably mounted abrush 29; 29, is a spring whlch tends normally to press the brush 29into engagement iwith the contact plate 30' carried by the 'block30 (ifinsulating mate rial which is secured'to the inner sides of the adjacentmagnet le s in any suitable manner.- The plate-3O 1s electrically con.-

[means ofa conductor 31. The segments 31'- receive between them and makewiping con-' tact with the freeend of the contact plate 24; A suitablesafety spark gap for the high nected with contact. segments- 31, 3L, by

tension circuit'i's provided between theupper free end of the plate'31and the ad acent surface of the magnet.

' 32'indicatesa circuit opening and closing mechanism. Any well knowntype may be employed. For the' purposes of illustration I have shownsuch a mechanism disposed within the generator structure so as to beoperated by .a relative movement of parts thereof. Of this mechanism, 33is an arm pivotally-connectedat 3-it to the bracket 9 on the stator. 37,is a coiled spring interposed between a lug 37 on the .bracket 9, and alu'g 33'- on the breaker arm. 38 and 39 arethe breaker electrodes, theformer ad- "ustably supported in a lug 37?" on the I I racket 9 andinsulated therefrom, and-the therewith.

'latter carried-at the outer end of the breaker arm 33. 44 is a shoe,preferably made of fiber, carried by the other end of the breaker I armand arranged for engagement with the surface of a 'cam 45 secured-to theinner end of the flux distributer shaft 12 to rotate 50 is anelectric 1the electrode 38 to the terminal plate 12 and thence to the terminal 18.The-cn'cuit I of the generating winding l6 is closed 66" through thefollowing conductors;- terminal and grounded to the carrying theinsulating conductor leading from '18, conductor 50', electrodes 38- and39,

breaker arm 33 to ground, theother termi-- nal of the coarse windingbeing grounded.

The condenser 23 is in parallel with the elec trodes 38 and 39.

51 indicates as an entirety triblitihg mechanism. Of this mecha ism 53isla gear carriedby and rotatable-with the flux'distribut'er shaft 12and meshingwith a gear 5- of thrice the diameter (theillustrateddev'ice-being geared for six cyl inder ignition) carried bythe tubular shaft 55, which surrounds the {metallic shell 55' lar. shaft55 is mounted to rotate in a bearsupport 27.

ried by and-rotatable with the gear 54 from which it is insulated-by theplug $25. 7 The.

segment 56 is electrically connected to- .the

' adjacent end of the terminal lead 26.

61 is a'distributer casing 'of. insulating .mat-e'rial suitably held inposition in any ug 25-. The tubu wellknown manner. -'62 are thedistributer;

brushes, each electrically connected with one 'of 'the distributerterminals 63 in the disitributer cas1ng,"from-- which high tensionconductors 52 extend to spark plugs 52 of" any'suitable construction.Suitable means must be provided-forangularly adjusting the polarsurfaces9", 9',- relatiye to the polar surfaces 12 ,'12", of the tration, thisis accomplished by a lever or.

crankarm 9l connected at one end to' the stator 9.

' The flux distributer shaft 12 is preferably outer end ofthe tubularsection '9-'of the. I a 1'05 mounted inanti-frict-ion bearings 13 andan,

anti-friction thrust bearing 13 may be used,

if desired, to insure maintenance of the .proper air; gap between thepolar surfaces 9. '9', and 12". 12.

T he flun dist'ri'buter, adapted alternately-to lncrease and decreasethepflux linking through the generating winding 16 by first establishinga path of.

when turned, is

least magnetic reluctance through said wind-- ing and between the woundpolar projection 9 and the magnet pole of opposite polarity.

and theua path vof least reluctance between sald last descrlberl magnetpole and the unwound polar pro ect1on 01' by-pass 99.

There is never any reversal of the flux in the elements which constitutethe magnetic. path between the magnetpole.

Since the breaker mechanism 32 is car ried by the oscill-atable polepiece 9. angular movement of the breaker to advance or -retard thesparlcis accompanied by simultaneous angular movement of the pole plece,

Land the relation of the polar surface .9, 9.

flux distributer. For the purpose of illus I v main flux will be linkedthrough the I Y, to: the polar surfaces 12 12 of the flux distributerand therelati on of the flux path to the generating Winding, when thecircuit is wilt begin to take place as the reluctance of l by ' the paththrough creases and the reluctance between the active flux distributingsection 12* and the polar the polar projection-9 in projection 9.decreases. The reluctance between the wound polar projection 9 and thefluxdist-ributer will increase until finally the flux distributingsection 12 will be sepa rated from thewound polar pro ectlons 9. anair-gap and the main flux will find a ."path through the unwound polarprojections distributing section 12 may magnet n 0 ,of spark adjustmentwhile maintaining the r manner that, the

electro-magnetic relation range of spark adgiven point '9 and the saidflux distributer section 12. The polar projections 9, 9,

total reluctance of magnetic circuit between the magnet poles substantially, constant as the flux distributer rotates.

The elements of the apparatus should be shaped, disposed and correlatedin such circuit opening and 0105-" 'ing mechanism, will operate to closethe c1rcuit through the generating winding durdecrease of the fluxthrough said winding and to open the clrcult while the 7 flux throughsaid winding is still decreasing.

The circuit breaker terminals should be kept apart by the cam 45 duringincrease of the flux linking the winding to insure that no current willbe generated in the winding thereby.

The mechanical relative to the poles of the net never changes, and thedirection of the winding permanent magpolar surfaces of the stator andflux distribut'er cooperate to maintain the path of least reluctancebetween the'magn'et poles'always in the same to the poles of the magnetthroughout the 'justment, irrespective of the angular position ofadjustment of the stator and breaker within the spark range of theapparatus. Furthermore, it will be noted that the reluctance of themagnetic circuit for any in the flux cycle remains substantiallyconstant throughout the range of spark adjustment.

Apparatus embodying my invention is adapted'to utilize the flux of apermanent throughout a wide angular range path and the fluxhave theirpolar surfaces so shaped and correlated asto maintain the gaps betweengular and;

permanency of the magnet; to maintain the of least reluctance betweenthe; poles of a permanent magnet always in the same electro-magneticrelationto the said poles; to'reduce to a minimum losses due tohysteresis and eddy currents. and variation .oii

total reluctance of the magnetic circuit during a cycle of operation; tomake possible more efii-cient and economical use than heretofore knownof theflux of a permanent magnet in generating between fully retardedand advanced spark positions, electric current impulses having the samewave shape and value at a'given frequency for all spark positionswithin. the rangeof-adjustment; to reduce to a minimum shifting of theflux in the polar end of the permanent magnet tending to demagnetizeit;and to insure that the currentv generated in the winding will never flowin the direction to demagnetize or tend to demagneti'ze the permanentmag net, but will flow'only in a direction to produce magnetizingefi'ect upon the permanent magnet. v

It will be noted that the permanent magnet is held stationary and theparts which co- :operate with .each other to maintain. the magnetlccircuit between the magnet poles are so shaped and correlated that butthree air relatively 'moving parts .are necessary to enable angularshifting of the field flux relative to the flux distributer, the meansfor shifting said flux relative to the flux distributer being arrangedentirely at one -side of the path of movement of the polar surfaces ofthe flux distributer and between said path and one of the poles of saidmagnet; and that in the particular apparatus hereindescribed asembodying my invention such angular shifting of the flux is attended bymaintenance of the same shape and value of current waves for all angularpositions of spark adjustment at a given speed of rotation of the fluxdistributer; and, furthermore, that the arrangement of the magneticmaterial in the magnetic path magnet is such as to enable me tointerpose the necessary three air'gaps with minimum reluctance duethereto; that the direction of the flow of flux through the fluxdistributer is never reversed due to any adjustment relatively to eachother and to the fiuxdistributer of those parts of theapparatus by meansof which spark adjustment over a wide anrange is effected; and that allof the parts of the magnetic circuit between thej poles and thegenerating winding 'bear the| same relation to each other at allpositions between the poles of the permanent" time constant ofthe-winding, during thei period that the primary circuit is closed, isthe same for all such positions of adjustment, a feature which lendsitself advantageously for battery excitation ofthe windsuch as a batterywhen conditions warrant,

Gas for starting a motor or running the motor under conditions requiringexceptionally. I I h v 14, 1914, and renewed "April 23,1919, as Se-- hotsparks.

impressing an electric current from an exing three positions, 71', 71and 71. When tery current may flow though the primary winding during theperiod when the circuit of that winding is closed by thev breaker-mechanism 32. The battery should preferably be so connected in thecircuit that its current will "flow through the winding 16?. a

'field magnet structure, a stator and an unwound r'otor 'co-axiallydisposed between'v in the same direction that current 'is generlatedtherein by rotation of the flux dis-i tributer in proper direction.

i the battery vwill be cut out ofthe primary mime to establish adefinite. and constant relacircuit which will then' be completed toground through the'switch. If the switch is thrown into position 71",the circuit is' f g closed through a resistance 72 sufiicient toovercome effective sparking of the generator for ignition purposes. Whenthe battery is in circuit and the circuit brealrer 'mechanism isclosed'b'y the circuit opening constant of the generating-winding arethe tion between the battery and the "generating i winding and tomaintain it for all positions mand on the battery, so that therelationof of spark adjustment, which isof great advantage not only in 'insurinuniijormity of current value of sparks t roughout the range ofadjustment for a given frequency, but also in insuring a moreuniformdethe battery .to "the winding, established properly for anypointin the range will be the same for all positions of spark adjust-.ment. The breaker mechanism 32, and condenser 23, form with the stator9 carryin the generator winding 16 a structure which may be. assembledand angularly adjusted as a unit. This insures a durability} and apermanent relationship of these important elements of the utmostadvantage in actual practice. I

tion, and the arrangementioi"elements is.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated one plan for the switch is placed in theposition 71', bat- When the switch is in the position"71,

thereto so that they are t and closing -mechanism 32, the maximum,average and minimum value of the time.

'erated in said winding.

While permanent magentsareshoyitn in the illustrated embodiment of; my.mve npermanency of the magnets in operation, it'- will beunderstoodthat essential characteristics-of my. inventionlmay be enjoyed by thesubstitution. of .electro-magnets for rial Number 292,242.

-' Many widely varying embodiments ofmg invention" and various aplication's thereo lates, may; be used andmade without departing-fromthe spirit and s'copeof my invention. My disclosure "anditheffore jug;description are purelyillustrative an are f notintended to be in anysense limiting.

WhatI claim is': 1. In; a machineof the. class described, a

'suchas will suggest t emselves. to those skilled in the art to which myinvention'rethe poles ofsaid field magnet and each having aJplurality-ofcooperating polar surfaces, agenerating winding carried by saidenerating win ing bein disposed, relative hreaded durin the rotationofsaid rotoronly to unidirectional stato id p larjsurfaces of theto'rand. rotor being 'sha ed and correlated nd said. 1?

9 5 .fl'u'x throughLsaid rotor and, stator, abat- "tery, and a circuitbreaker actuated tofcon nect the :battery, into the circuit of saidgenerating winding only durin (intervals ofdecreaseof flux 'of the.fie'd. magnet through said generating the current flowing fromsaidbattery be in the-same direction 2. i In a machine of the-class a ndingrso that as the urrent genswingable-stator,i'an unwoundrotbr, and aenerating winding having pri a a d ondarysections, one terminal oftheprimary section being c onnfected with an electric conductorextendmgjaxially through said station being: connected. to a conductorsegment adapted to-dsoillate. with said stator. a 3.' In a machineof theclass described,- a. swingable stator, an unwound rotor, at gen-'erating winding having primary and secndarysection'S, oneyterminal iofthe mary section being-connectedwith a'n elec trio conductorextending-axially through .saidstator and one terminal :of saidsecondary section being connectedto a conductor segment adapted tooscillatewith said "sta 4. In a machine of the class describedya 'e sw dh v g 'Pr j d ondary sections, one terminal ofihqprinai-y;

119 .tor and. onetermihal of said secondary sec-" tor anda'hi'ghtension-lead having' 'wip' coiitact with said conductor segments. 1 i

'swingable-s'tator, anllnwoiindrotor, a ge section being connected withan electrlcinner end Wiping contactwith said conductor' conductorextending axially through "said segment. 10

stator and one terminal of said secondary In testimony whereofl affix mysignasection being. connected to a conductor segt'ure, in the presenceof two witnesses. lnent adaptedtooscillate With said stator, a LEON J.LE PONTOIS. field magnet embracing said stator and ro- Vitnesses: tor,and a high tension lead extending JOHN C. BARKLEY,

through said 'field magnet and having at its Gaol B. 'Prrrs.

